Sea lion with 'special sparkle' dies at zoo

Animal keepers have paid tribute to a sea lion who has died more than two decades after she settled into her home at a zoo.

Colchester Zoo said Winnipeg, a Patagonian sea lion who was about 25 years old, was put to sleep on Thursday "in the interest of her welfare".

She had been under regular supervision by vets because she had been "displaying typical geriatric behaviours", the Essex attraction said.

In a statement, the zoo's sea lion keepers said Winnipeg was the loudest and "always had a special sparkle with endless energy".

"She loved spending time with her sea lion companions and had no concept of personal space so you would often see her laying on top of the others whilst having a snooze," they said.

Winnipeg arrived at the zoo in November 2003.

The species, sometimes also known as the South American sea lion, has an average lifespan of about 20 years, according to the MarineBio Conservation Society.

The zoo says its remaining sea lions, Sydney and Milan, are also approaching their later years and will be supported as they adapt to life without their friend.

Two other sea lions in their 20s, Paris and Atlanta, died at the zoo in 2022 and 2025 respectively.

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